Oilers Favored to End Losing Ways in Los Angeles

The Edmonton Oilers would love to build themselves a nice winning streak after kicking off their five-game road trip with a rout of San Jose. But that could prove difficult as they face a Los Angeles Kings team Thursday night that has won 14 of its last 15 home games against Edmonton dating back to the end of the 2012-13 regular season.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Oilers come in at -133, marking the first time in five meetings that the visiting team is installed as the favorite. The OVER/UNDER of 6 is slightly higher than the 5.5 these teams saw in their first encounter of the season.

Edmonton News & Notes

The Oilers have been one of the most entertaining shows in hockey this season – and that’s especially true when they take their high-powered act on the road, where they’ve won four of their past five games and boast an overall 7-4-1 SU record. But while it might seem like they’re one of the most prolific road teams in the league, they rank just 15th in away goals per game (2.83).

That said, look for Edmonton’s dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to continue punishing opposing goaltenders. Not only do they rank 1-2 in the league in scoring going into Thursday action (Draisaitl has 44 points and McDavid 43), they’ve combined for six goals and eight assists in their last two meetings with L.A., both Oilers victories.

Los Angeles News & Notes

Just when it looked like the Kings might be turning a corner offensively, they laid a goose egg against the Arizona Coyotes, getting shut out for the third time already this season. They continue to be a one-dimensional team up front, with Anze Kopitar (22 points) the only L.A. player having recorded more than eight goals or 13 points through the first quarter of the regular season.

But if Los Angeles bettors are looking for a ray of hope, there’s the crazy dominance the Kings have exerted over the Oilers at Staples Center over the years. There’s also the fact that L.A. has averaged four goals per game in the past five meetings with the Oilers, with Kopitar racking up three goals and nine assists over that stretch.

Betting Pick: OVER

These teams have been lighting up the scoreboard in recent meetings, and short of a defensive epiphany on either side of the ice, that trend doesn’t appear likely to abate.